My Other Creations: Stay-cation Collage Using TCW'S Onion Skin Stencil

"Let's Take a Vacation" is this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge theme.  When I saw this theme, I had just returned from a week of rainy hard-core camping with teenagers and toddlers, so the only kind of vacation I wanted was to bar myself in my crafting room with some serenity and a good beverage.  That's why my project represents the peaceful side of vacationing (or stay-cationing as the case may be).

To create the muted watery tones in the background, I brushed a ton of water on a piece of Strathmore Mixed media paper, then sprayed Dylusions Ink Sprays on it and let it blend, then dabbed the sprayed sections with a paper towel to mute the colors a bit.  Then I put a stencil on top and sprayed more Dylusions ink spray through the stencil. Once all of that dried, I smeared some white acrylic paint on top of Washi and paper scraps.  I covered the Onion Skin stencil with black acrylic paint and pressed it onto my collage so that it worked like a stamp.  I added some other stamping and a tab shape that I punched out of patterned paper.

I gave the mug some oomph by adding some floral Washi and the word "Stay," which I typed out on my trusty Memory Keepers typewriter.

Here are the supplies I used which you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Strathmore Mixed Media Paper	Mini Onion Skin Stencil by The Crafter′s Workshop	Dylusions Holes Stencil, 5" x 8"	Simple Stories, Summertime Sweetness Washi Tape	we r memory keepers tab punch
Bo Bunny STITCHES Clear Stamps	Dylusions Lemon Zest Ink Spray	Ranger Dylusions Ink Spray CHERRY PIE	Dylusions Ink Sprays - Bubblegum Pink	Dylusions Ink Sprays - Fresh Lime
Dylusions Ink Sprays - Vibrant Turquiose	Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE Media Heavy Body Acrylic Paints	Dina Wakley Black Heavy Body Acrylic Paint	We R Memory Keepers Mint Typewriter

It is the time for vacation adventures, so I'm excited to see your projects!  Be sure to upload them to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store.

My Other Creations: Life Collage Using Die-Cuts to Add Texture

"Touchy Feely" is our challenge theme over at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog.  That means texture!  I used some die cuts to build up texture, along with some crinkly-folded circles and some paper flowers.

One of my favorite tricks with die-cut shapes is to use the negative cuts, too.  To make the spiral in my project, I placed three Seth Apter coffee ring dies inside of each other, then ran it through my Sizzix Big Shot.  Here's how the negative shape turned out:

Another fun trick is to use crinkly-folded circles.  I fold a circle in half, then in half again (fourths), then I make diagonal folds in between that, then I open it up and it has some nice dimension.

You can't go wrong with paper flowers, either, so I attached some of those to a Tim Holtz wildflower die.  I added a few bits of Washi tape here and there, then stamped out the "life" sentiment and added it on.

Here are the supplies I used that you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Strathmore Mixed Media Paper	Seth Apter Spellbinders Coffe Ring die	Tim Holtz Trellis Frameworks Die	EK Success 1/2" CIRCLE Mini Punch	Tim Holtz Sizzix Wildflowers
Reset Girl 12x12 Basics Kit Paper	Tim Holtz Bouquet Findings	Sizzix Big Shot	Dina Wakley Acrylic Paint Set	Hero Arts Playful Alphabet Stamps
Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink Pad	Ranger Non Stick Craft Sheet

I can't wait to see how you add some texture this week!  Upload your touchy feely creations to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win $50 to the Simon Says Stamp store!

My Cards and Tags: Car Tag Using Cityscape Commute Dies

When I learned that this week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge theme was "masculine," I asked my hubby what kind of a card he would like that would be manly.  He thought for a minute and said, "Something with knives.  And a hawk."  :)  Well, since I didn't have any knife or hawk supplies available, I went with cars.

To make the cars, I started with a classic technique of covering a piece of paper with Washi tape strips.

I cut the cars out of the Washi paper and added some paint.  Once the paint dried, I outlined them with a Sharpie.

I made my tag out of Strathmore Mixed Media paper and added paint, a text circle, stamping and a sentiment from the Cool Kid paper collection by Crate Paper.

Last but not least, I added my cars and this tag was done!

Here are the supplies I used that you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Strathmore Mixed Media Paper	Tim Holtz Sizzix Tag Collection	Sizzix Big Shot	Tim Holtz Idea-ology VINTAGE Design Tape	Tim Holtz Idea-ology JOURNEY Design Tape
Tim Holtz Idea-ology TISSUE TAPE SYMPHONY Music Self Adhesive Vintage Paper	Doodlebug happy Hearts Fairy Tales Washi Tape	Echo Park Popsicles Washi Tape	Darkroom Door Grunge Marks Cling Stamp	Darkroom Door Coffee Stain Stamp
Cityscape Commute	Dina Wakley Acrylic Paint Set	Crate Paper Cool Kid Paper 6x6	Memento Luxe Gray Flannel	Ranger Archival Ink, Vivid Chartreuse
Salty Ocean - Distress Ink	Ranger Archival Aquamarine Ink Pad	simon says stamp high dive ink pad	Simon Says Stamp Green Leaf Ink Pad	Black Sharpie Fine Point Pen

I'm always looking for good ideas for masculine cards (until I buy that elusive knife and hawk stamp set), so be sure to upload your creations to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog.  You'll be automatically entered to win a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Store!